Folks, I am having difficulties while meditating. So I was thinking of repeating a mantra during meditation. However, I don't know much about them. Does anyone know of a short Japanese mantra (maybe of 6 syllables or so), which does not require transmission from a teacher (as I do not have one yet), that helps the overcoming of obstacles in one's path? Thanks in advance.

Mantras in the Japanese traditions are usually only practised by the ordained unless you've been given them under guidance by your teacher. There are, however a few that I believe the Shingon Shu deem ok for lay people, but why only use Japanese mantras? Om mani padme hum is a great mantra

I'm not aux fait with Shingon but I'm sure someone will be able to answer your question soon.

I have chosen Japanese mantras mostly because of my affinity towards Chinese and Japanese culture. Sanskrit mantras are fine with me but I will usually interpret Kannon or Kuan Yin instead of Avalokitesvara (sp?).

Not a mantra. It is a subjective expression of devotion/veneration/worship of the Lotus Sutra: Namu (an expression of devotion derived from Sanskrit) appended to the Chinese title of the Lotus Sutra as translated by Kumarajiva, as read in Japanese. By reciting the title (Daimoku) of the Lotus Sutra (MyoHoRenGeKyo), one is reciting the entire Lotus Sutra. This is because the entire meaning is contained in the title. This is Nichiren's explanation based on Zhiyi's Fa Hua Hsuan-i (Profound Meaning of the Lotus Sutra) which explains that the entire meaning of the Lotus Sutra is contained in its title. Chanting the Daimoku is actually Sutra recitation, not mantra recitation. Adding Namu becomes the personal practice of the Lotus Sutra.

This should not be in a general thread. If you want to continue this line of discussion, please ask a question in the Nichren forum.

“Once you have given up the ghost, everything follows with dead certainty, even in the midst of chaos.”-Henry Miller

"Language is the liquid that we're all dissolved in. Great for solving problems, after it creates a problem."-Modest Mouse

This is a Shingon mantra, which I am empowered to pass on.Starting at the base:

Namu, Daishi, Kongo, Renghe, HumWhen you have a strip of coloured shapesplace them in front of you.Sit and breath comfortablyNow we can use each coloured shapeas a focus.Bring relaxed attention to the yellowsquare and bring the awareness to the body.Then bring attentive awareness to the blue circlebecome aware of any emotional arisings.Then attentive to the red trianglebecome aware of any issues to do with identity.Then attentive to the white crescentbring the attention to the mind.On the Gold now finally contemplateany understanding of Spirit you may have.

It is a good idea to keep a journalof what happens.This is a very transformative meditationexcellent for overcoming obstacles.

I'm quite surprised no one has mentioned the mantra of Fudo Myo-O yet. Fudo Myo-o (or Acala Vidyaraja) is one of the wisdom kings, and chanting his mantra is a major part of Shingon practice, including by lay practitioners (in other words, you don't need a specific empowerment to chant this one). The mantra is a bit long: "Nomaku sanmanda bazaradan senda makaroshada sowataya un tarata kan man," but once you get the rhythm of it, it's pretty easy. The way we usually chant it is a bit like so: